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“You know I already love you like a sister, but I kind of love my brothers, too.” I laugh.
“Even though they don’t deserve it.” She rolls her eyes.
I shrug. My brothers can be overprotective assholes at times. I sort of love them for it, even though it drives me crazy. “How’s your brother doing?”
“Fine, I think. I haven’t talked to him in a couple of months.” Michelle’s brother lives in South Carolina and doesn’t visit her very often. They lost their parents when they were teenagers, so it’s just been the two of them for a long time. I don’t know much beyond that. Michelle doesn’t like to talk about her past, which I can understand after going through something so tragic.
“That’s such a bummer.”
“It’s okay. He has his own life. I’m just glad he checks in sometimes.”
“Why don’t you come to Mom and Dad’s when we have family dinner?” I hate how bummed out she seems.
“Nah, that’s okay. I’m having family dinner right now. We’ll just create our own family one day.” She winks at me.
I laugh, even though I wish she’d just come with me. A few minutes with the Ellis clan would cheer her up in a heartbeat.
We finish our drinks, chatting about everything while commiserating about having to deal with Oscar the Grouch come Monday. I plan to relax as much as possible this weekend so when the workday comes around again, I’ll be better suited to deal with the grump.
When it starts to get late, Michelle and I say goodbye on the front porch. Her car is parked on the opposite side of the parking lot from mine, forcing us to go our separate ways.
I take a deep breath as I walk to my car. The tepid air feels refreshing after being inside the packed bar for so long. I love going out and socializing with people, but sometimes, I revel in these moments of quiet solitude. There’s a certain satisfaction in being by myself. It makes me feel strong, capable. Like I can handle anything that comes my way. And I know I could.
Unlocking my car, I start to get in when the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I look around the lot, scanning all the cars around the building. There’s no one else outside. Even the noises of the bar have gone quiet in the back of the lot.
Despite all my assurances, it still feels like someone is watching me right now. There are a million places they could be hiding, which doesn’t make me feel any better. In fact, that makes it much worse. My gaze flicks to every shadow and corner a person could be hiding.
Now I’m just freaking myself out even more. With one last scan, I get into my car, shaking my head. That was weird. I try not to speed out of the parking lot with my fear running rampant. There was probably someone walking down the street who happened to look over at the bar.
I highly doubt someone would be watching me.
8
BEN
What a fucking week.
I knew working at Dad’s clinic would be hard, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. I haven’t helped the situation with my shitty attitude either. I’ve been pretty hostile to the techs, which I do feel bad about. They don’t deserve my ire. But it’s been difficult not to let my mood carry over to them.
I do admire their ability to respond with sass when I’m being exceptionally angry, despite how much it further pisses me off in the moment. Sara has gotten especially sassy in her retorts. Remembering her jab about me deserving the bite from a rather pissed-off hamster makes a smile break on my face. If I hadn’t been bleeding, I probably would’ve laughed at her comment.
“What are you smiling about over there?” Mom asks from across the table.
I glance up at her, then at Dad, who’s been oddly reserved this whole week. It’s not like him to be quiet for an extended period of time. I figure he’s struggling with having to retire sooner than he wanted. I don’t blame him. If my body started telling me I had to retire before I was ready, I’d be livid.
“I was just thinking about a mean little hamster I worked with this week.”
“I will never understand you and your father’s love for the mean ones.”
“It’s a switch from the monotony of doing the same thing over and over again.”
“Are things going okay? Susan said it was a little tense this week.” Mom’s grimace tells me Susan was a little more colorful with her description of how the week went.
“They’re not great, but things will settle. Dad, have you put out the ad for a new vet yet?”
“Not yet. This week has been hard. I’ll try to put it out next week.” He glances at me, then at Mom before turning back to his dinner.
If he didn’t look so disheartened, I’d be mad at him for not doing what he said he would. Instead, I feel like there’s a hole opening in my chest. It’s all I can do to finish my dinner before I make my excuses to leave the table. Sadie dutifully follows behind me as I step into my room. Her constant companionship is about the only thing getting me through this whole fucked-up situation.
